Sixtieth Commencement
Wednesday, the Fourteenth of May, Two Thousand Twenty-Five Gardner, Massachusetts
Commencement Awards
Emerita • Judith Fredette, Ph.D.
President’s Keys • Lia Gomez, Kaelen Linke, Susan Shing Luo, Olivia Joy Wentworth
Dean’s Key • Mayra Alaniz Andrade
Curriculum Awards
Accounting Concentration Mayra Alaniz Andrade
Art Richard H. Barrell
Art Concentration
Sean J. McFadries
Automotive Technology Cameron P. Laughlin
Biology Xia L. Hill
Business Administration – Career
Justina May Johnson
Business Administration – Transfer Domanic Charles Cacciolfi
Chemistry
Civic Engagement and Community Leadership
Jarod P. Mcpherson
Sean Christopher Bastien
Computer Information Systems Kourtney Lynn Tibbetts
Computer Information Systems Transfer Daniel Y. So
Computer Science Transfer
Augusto Abade Schwanz
Criminal Justice – Law Enforcement Nirmary Jeanette Rodriguez
Criminal Justice – Transfer Christian J. Wolferseder
Dental Hygiene
Amanda Lynn Abbott
Early Childhood Education – Career Chloe Marie St Peter
Early Childhood Education – Transfer Mackenzie Elena Drew
Early Education and Care for Exceptional Children Yojneesh Shakya
Earth/Environmental Science
Elementary Education Track
Engineering Physics
Dylan Joseph Wade
Kristie L. Wright
Elizabeth L. Kurtz
Environmental Conservation Rachael K. Legault
Fire Science Technology
Michael S. George
Global Studies Track Katherine McPartlan
Graphic & Interactive Design ................................................................................. Karlee Elizabeth Rhodes
History and Political Science
Eric James Page Jr.
Human Services Lia Gomez
Interdisciplinary Studies – Allied Health Eli Pfennighaus
Interdisciplinary Studies Desiree Monique Leader
Legal Studies Mike Bourdeau
Liberal Arts & Sciences
Susan Shing Luo
Mathematics Augusto Abade Schwanz
Media Arts and Technology – Audio Engineering
Julian Anderson
Media Arts and Technology – Photography Sophia Persephone Song Peill-Meininghaus
Media Arts and Technology – Video/Film Diego Leyva Ledesma
Media Communications Track Jessica A. Lee
Nursing Samuel Kabiru Njoroge
Nursing – LPN Bridge Xiara Yariss Davila
Pharmacy Agnes Duodua
Physical Therapist Assistant Kaley E. Mclaughlin
Pre-Law Track
Professional Writing Track
Veronica Frances Gomez
Elysian Sylvan Alder
Theatre Arts Track Emma Lee Ann Hernandez
Veterinary Technology
Susan J. Harmon
Ava Grace Rousseau F*
Caitlin Amber Ruby F*
Anne Samedy F*
Beatrice B. Saprapasen F
Abigail Sarante F*
Nicole Annette Sherwin F*
Art Degree
Richard H. Barrell v*
Joseph William Boire
Mercedes H. Bounnavong u*
Mariana Castro Padilla
Jordan L. Chignola h*
Carly Lynn Shugrue F*
Natiushka Maria Silva
Sarah Michelle Stoddard a F*
Vivian Deirochelyinae Jakob Stronghold F
Brayden Thomas Swanson
Aiyana Rey Tabales F*
Nevaeh Raine Cook u*
Autumn M. Garcia v
Brittany Rose Glatczak v*
Madison Elise Gonzalez u*
Sophie Lisa Landry v*
Automotive Technology Certificate
Jeremy L. Barry
Nathaniel Joseph Berthiaume
Rebecca Buell F*
Brendon K. Dellmuth F*
Princesa Marie Feliciano Santiago
Joshua Richard Herrick e
Cameron P. Laughlin F*
Justin Joseph Monahan F
Automotive Technology Degree
Nathaniel Joseph Berthiaume
Sebastian Jose Fernandez-Torres
Stacia Marie Johnson
Biology Degree
Alyssa Jean Goulet a v*
Xia L. Hill v*
Eli Deion Joseph
Cameron P. Laughlin u*
Justin Joseph Monahan u*
Corey J. Renna
Puneet Kumar
Evelyn Raine Pisani
Kenneth Y. Rivera
Business Administration Career Degree
Eric Joseph Baker e u*
Logan Robert Crowell h
Kymberlee Dennett
Gerry Dieudonne v
Ny’Asha L. Ducos u
Amanda Elizabeth Duval
Mya Adele Fredette u
Jasmine L. Harris h*
Courtney L. Hosley u
Justina May Johnson i a e v
Krizia Marie Laboy h*
Alex J. Lafrennie u*
Alexis Caroline Lashua u
Abigail Lynn MacKinnon i a h*
Brennan D. Tenney F*
Ritch B. Thomas F
Angelita S. Torres F*
Bayrelisse Marye Torres F
Sophia A. Ulloa F*
Robin N. Wiinikka
Reilley Evelyn Mulligan h*
Colleen Doherty Murphy
William Emmett Wilson u*
Yixin Zhang v*
Alberto Rodriguez
Joseph A. Vieu
Jason Sousa Viveiros
Jason Sousa Viveiros
Jose Ruiz Murillo
Richard Ray Sylvain u*
Nicolas Francis Mongeon u*
Shane Murray u
Alexis Rojas Lemus
Katherine Elizabeth Smith v
Noah Chase Tosti h*
Allyson Williams
Business Administration Career Degree - Accounting
Mayra Alaniz Andrade i v*
Michael Andre Brawner v
Katsiaryna Cook v
Elizabeth A. Fitzgibbons u
Ethan Robert Hutchins v*
Dylan Robert Mei h*
Business Administration Certificate
Jason J. Almeida F*
Benzy Bain F*
Kaleb Richard Beasley a F*
Niko Dakota Bianco F
Krista Burson i a F*
Kate L. Cabrera
Ismael Luis Calixto III F
Calvin Louis Carnes Jr. F
Isis Yailenne Dominguez
Eric James Durand F*
Amanda Elizabeth Duval
Gabriel Evans Espada F
Genesis D. Montero h*
Carolina P. Montero Gomez i u*
Conner Michael Rollo h*
Iliana Yazmin Gonzalez
Melvin A. Gonzalez F*
Luis F. Hernandez F*
Reginald L. Holley F*
Bryan A. Korch F*
Krizia Marie Laboy F
HONORS
(See page 12 for details)
Rebecca E. LaCouture F*
Alex J. Lafrennie F*
Christopher LaPierre
Jeffery Thomas Lima
Abigail Lynn MacKinnon i a F*
Janea M. Martinez
Dwayne McNair F*
Nicolas Francis Mongeon
Michael D. Morales F*
Courtney Raye Morse F
Annamiah Hadassah Onore
Laura F. Proietti a F*
Gabriel Estuardo Rojas F
Alexis Rojas Lemus
Business Administration Transfer Degree
Edward Oscar Bjelf h*
Raymond S. Bjelf a v*
Michael Edward Bolton i a v
Robyn Elizabeth Bousquet
Jimiya Ann Brennan u
Domanic Charles Cacciolfi a v*
Eric James Couture v*
Nelka Marie Diaz u*
Kylie Catherine Dupree
Madelyn J. Gerhard i h
Alia Rae Jones Harrington u*
Kyi Hnin Htut v*
Chemistry Degree
Sebastian Bilodeau h*
Eric Jan Kortenhoeven u
David J. Labbe i u
Emma Mae Leclerc
Hannah Lisa MacKenzie v*
Noah James McCusker
Gavin E. McLaughlin
Regina Mora Femante i u*
Maria Consolate Nakalungi
Lilliana Nunez De Los Santos
Kezia Obuobi
Natalia Oliver i v*
Brandon Derick Ouellet a h*
Jarod P. Mcpherson a v*
Computer Information Systems Degree
Lucas D. Cadahia u*
Kausara Abimbola Ibrahim u*
Timothy M. Lemire v*
Kourtney Lynn Tibbetts a v*
Computer Information Systems Transfer Degree
Daniel Y. So
Computer Science Transfer Degree
Ryan Butler
Lennart L. Doiron v*
James Williams Gould
Oufae Kima-Tabong
Criminal Justice Degree - Law Enforcement
Emily M. Jamieson h
Nirmary Jeanette Rodriguez
Criminal Justice Degree - Transfer
Christian J. Wolferseder
Cyber Security Certificate
Anthony W. Arias F*
Joel Arias Mateo
Odette Ateh F
Cameron Brown F*
Data Analysis Certificate
Tyler John Rodriguez F*
Dental Hygiene Degree
Amanda Lynn Abbott v*
Aurelia R. Aybar u*
Christa M. Cucchi
Rachel H. Kendall v*
Lucas D. Cadahia F*
Gavin J. Mauro F*
Eric Salmond F*
Rick Sanon F*
Kent Yang i a e F
MacKenzie Rose Martel v*
Alexandria B. Nguyen u*
Devyn Mackenzie Pedersen v*
Enida Sulaj h*
Spenzer Sanon e F*
Kalyn M. Stapel
Dominic Tassy F
Otis C. Walker
Steven M. Webster
Cristal A. Perez
Chase N. Petricca v*
Gabriela Marisol Pineda
Joseph A. Pujols u*
Jeremy A.G. Reid
Michael Roy a v
Keryn L. Shack a u*
Leo Alexander Simpson
Isabel Veliz h*
Ava Liberty Wilson
Sophia Eleanor Woodard i v*
Kanaye A. Young
Jose Julio Torres u
Brody Wolski v*
Kent Yang i a e v*
Augusto Abade Schwanz v*
Avery Cole Sorenson
Brody Wolski F*
Kent Yang i a e F
Jenniffer Vieira De Oliveira v*
Sophia Wenning u*
Early Childhood Education Career Degree
Alondra Diaz-Polanco u*
Shauna L. Kulczyk
Tiffany D. Monroe h
Adriana Philomena Niall
Early Childhood Education Certificate
Jillian Rose Conant
Jennifer L. Eddy F*
Maria Franco Ramos F*
Shanay Latifah Jones F
Jocelyn V. Kipp
Jennifer Mae Knoll a F*
Angelica I. Lacourse F*
Sara Ann Leopaldi
Early Childhood Education Transfer Degree
Purity K. Apiri
Sean F. Brennan
Irissenya Diaz
Mackenzie Elena Drew v*
Samantha Lyn Lynch
Lianna Marie Maynard
Early Education and Care for Exceptional Children
Sara Ann Leopaldi
Yojneesh Shakya h*
Earth/Enviromental Science Degree
David P. Fortin u*
Evelyn Saunders
Engineering Physics Degree
Emma Marie Nurmsen Silvia
Adrianne J. Talavera
William Burr Gunsalus u* Tim Trahan h*
Engineering and Physics Degree
Elizabeth L. Kurtz h*
Timothy Justin Specht u*
Environmental Conservation Degree
Justin Black h*
Shelby Renee Bommarito
David William Della Cioppa h*
Kristen Derose
Charles W. Ellis
Rachael K. Legault v
Parker M. Lizotte
Gavin Quinn O’connor u
Fire Science Technology Degree
Kevin Herman Alicea
Benny Cherukoth Altomonte
Dylan H. Babin
Joshua Adam Burdett
Parker Daniel Dinsmore
Thomas Fazio
Evan Daniel Foisy u*
Samantha June Fowle a u
Michael S. George v*
Ethan Michael Leblanc
Graphic & Interactive Design Certificate
Alyssa M. Loftus
Jillian Elizabeth Murin F*
Chloe Marie St Peter v*
Christina Grace Moomaw F*
Gretchen Rodriguez F*
Terrell Woodson
Mikhaila Marie Ouellette e h*
Dylan Joseph Wade u
Faimah Nalwanga F*
Jaziel Hiram Padilla Rosario
Graphic & Interactive Design Degree
Alexander Joseph DiMarco h* Kyle J. Karaca u
Christian Eli Piscopo u
Nicholas Paul Shea u*
Mia Ann Valadez h
Laura F. Yi u*
Austin W. McGonagle u*
Cameron Clark Milewski v
Troy Albert Saulnier v*
Joshua John Waterworth h*
Adam Robert Wesley
Kelsey L. Reid F*
Lowell A. Shorey
Karlee Elizabeth Rhodes h
(See page 12 for details)
Human Services Degree
Marco A. Aguiar
Sue A. Bennett v*
Nicholas John Cappadona v*
Lillyan Rose Carey
Micaiah Nehemiah Colon
Mya Raine Colon
Erica Corral u*
Alydia Kathryn Davis v*
Melissa Amber Fitzgerald v*
Lia Gomez v*
Stacey M. Houle
Chloe Jess
Taylor MacKenzie Jollimore h*
Jillian Rose Kell u*
Noraida Sandra Morales-Colon h*
Emma Marie Morse a e v*
Brity Tyler Murphy
Candace Anne Ogonowski v
Human Services Technician Certificate
Giomar Arman F
Destiny Sabrina Batista
Victoria Rose Blanchard
Eryn Blouin F
Gracie A. Burke
Erica Corral F*
Sarah Marie Cote F*
Hagar Crentsel Mack
Aida I. Feliciano F*
Dennah Marie Frost F
Maria Rebecca Jimenez
Taylor MacKenzie Jollimore F*
Jillian Rose Kell F*
Noraida Sandra Morales-Colon F
Melissa Kathleen Morgan F
Cathy L. Morgan F*
Breanna Ann O’Donnell F*
Dracar T. Payton F*
Interdisciplinary Studies Degree
Vincent Thomas Alia u
Andrew Steven Almeida h*
Christina D. Amburgey
Angelar Lunie Bazile e
Isabelle Alves Dias Bento
Emiline Rose Butler u*
Jeremy Leon Caouette
Danielle Maree Ciccone a e v
Jessica S. Cooney
Josue Diaz Saldarriaga a v*
Kalum B. Dunn
Lydia Jean Dupre
Luke Michael Fontaine
Hannah Marie Fowler
Andrew C. Francis
Jessica Lynn Francis
Ariana Louise Giardina a u*
Michelle L. Girard
Nayah Liz Islam Espinosa
Nickolas Jason Jakoulov a h*
David J. Kjornes
Kiley Mary Marie Kulesza a
Leanna M. Lampron a u*
Desiree Monique Leader v*
Jaiden T. Lopez
Mason J. Lucia
Jacquelynn Madden v*
Rodrigo Mas
Interdisciplinary Studies Degree - Allied Health
Lauren A. Allard
Lizmarie Barreiro u*
Catherine M. Barry v*
Lacee Nicole Boutell
Colleen S. Boutwell u*
Kathleen M. Carvalho
Shyanne Fawn Forrest e h
Anna Marie Fuentes a u*
Marena Hope Hachey u*
Malory Marie Jimenez a h*
Olivia C. Leblanc h*
Savannah Leigh Lloyd u*
Jennifer Pastora Martinez u*
Hannah C. Morton
Caroline Rose Paquette h*
Sydney Marie Parker
IT Support Specialist Certificate
Anthony W. Arias F
Katelyn M. Becotte F*
Thomas Clarke
Jamie Ryan Demers
Cristhofert Diaz-Henriquez F*
Ethan Liang
Rasheed Mauricette
Megan Elizabeth Muheim F
Jamie M. Pearson v*
Rosa Placencia
Kaelan Rodriguez u*
Erick Luis Rosa a h*
Ashley Victoria Sampson
Ashley Marie Wade v*
Hyojung K. Wetherell h*
Kathleen C. Zanga e
Kimberly Nicole Peters
Christina Lea Porter i a e F*
Franneirys Venecia Pujols Rosario F*
Kaelan Rodriguez F
Erick Luis Rosa a F
Ashley Victoria Sampson
Ana Claudia Uphold F*
Ashley Marie Wade F
Hannah Marie Whiting F*
Jack Y. McCrillis h*
Doris Mendez u*
Jon M. Moss
Megan Prachniak a e v*
Kalea Nicole Reilly a u*
Fiorella Rodriguez a h*
Jayson Saint-Louis
Amy Kathryn Shack h*
Alison P. Swank-Collins h*
Alyson Teto a v*
Sophia A. Ulloa u*
Olivia Joy Wentworth a v*
Danielle J. Whiteman
Eli Pfennighaus v*
Caitlin Amber Ruby u*
Anne Samedy
Sarah Michelle Stoddard a u*
Vivian Deirochelyinae Jakob Stronghold h
Cody James Tom
Rachel Jocelyn Wilder a e u*
Kourtney Lynn Tibbetts a F
Kent Yang i a e F
Law Enforcement Certificate
Nirmary Jeanette Rodriguez
Legal Studies Degree
Mike Bourdeau v*
Felicia Lynne Houston h*
Shannon M. Hultslander h*
James E. Ryan F*
David Joseph Morris h*
Sherrie Ann O’Donnell h*
Samantha Anne Schultz
Liberal Arts & Sciences Degree
George Adair u*
Elysian Sylvan Alder v*
Kiara Anializ Alicea-Roman
Grace Elizabeth Amos h*
Camila Arsenault u
Sean Christopher Bastien
Sarah M. Batchelder a v*
Brittany Jasmine Bergevin
Ashley Berojouki u
Emily Jo Marie Blair a u
Matrisha Alfredia Boddie
Gabrielle Alice Bond u
Edward Carey
Macy Lynn Celona h
Jordan Rose Chila v*
Kayla Rose Clark u*
Ava Creney v
Richard Elliott Dalton v*
Alessandro Vincenzo Di Vito
Kaylee P. DiNardo h
Anthony Joseph Enman u*
Mathematics Degree
Augusto Abade Schwanz v*
Matthew McKale Feinberg u
Riley Elizabeth Forhan a u*
Eben Tobias Goldman h*
Veronica Frances Gomez
Alexandra Catherine Gormley u*
Samantha Marie Goulet u*
Honnah A. Griffith
Gertrude Ethelind Hanninen-Burnham h*
Kylie Faye Hedges h*
Emma Lee Ann Hernandez
Lauren Rae Hodsdon v*
Stacey M. Houle
Makayla J. Hyde h*
Savannah Malia Kingsley v*
Jessica A. Lee h
Kaelen Linke v*
Susan Shing Luo v*
Jadanalis M. Marquez
Aaron Joshua Martinez
Sean J. McFadries v*
Katherine McPartlan v
Media Arts and Technology Degree
Leomar Ayala-Fuentes h*
Reenie Saphine Kim
Media Arts and Technology Degree - Audio Engineering
Julian Anderson u*
Matthew C. Raskett
Media Arts and Technology Degree - Photography
Sophia Persephone Song Peill-Meininghaus h
Media Arts and Technology Degree - Video/Film
Aidan F. Bradley v*
Sabrina Lynn Lewis a h*
Medical Assisting Certificate
Diego Leyva Ledesma a v*
Colby James Spear u*
Irene Jimenez a Kija E. Magege
h
Jacqueline M. Toth h*
Ashley L. Wales u*
Kazim Faraz Mehmud
Gavryela Mora a u*
Julia Ogunti
Eric James Page Jr. h
Fiona Autumn Moon Peill-Meininghaus h
Thalia Samantha Philippe u*
Syeira Kayelen Phillips a u*
Dakota James Potter
Kathleen Rains h*
Gear Renton
Valeria Ruiz
Delaney Marie Smith a h*
Nathaniel Monahan Soucy a v*
Sophia Spier h
Trey Dorion Stevens
Kamila Szostek
Natalia Rose Wilder u*
Eliora Witkowski-Despres a v*
Kristie L. Wright u*
Princess Sarah Yeboah h*
Victoria L. Ryan
Dawson Schuyler Testa u*
Emily Thorogood v
Natividad Santana
HONORS
u HONORS
F
(See page 12 for details)
* PRELIMINARY HONORS/MERIT
Natural Resources Degree
Primo A. Dellasanta
Nursing Degree
Joyce Amoah u*
Angelo Arcuri h*
Casey Anne Aubin
Virginia Lyn Auffrey
Faizah Bashir Shaban
Nicole Rachelle Beauchesne u*
Jennifer Marie Bilodeau a u*
Malley J. Black v*
Brianna Suzanne Blake u*
Emily Bruley u*
Kaylee A. Chiarenza a e u*
Ashleigh Kudakwashe Chikumbirike v*
Kylee Ann Dauphinais
Xiara Yariss Davila v*
Nicole Marie Deschamps h*
Michael A. Douglas
Carlee B. Dunbar
Nicole M. Eliason
Jessica Marie Flanders u*
Abigail Claire Gagne
Lyndsey L. Gamache u*
Marcililian R. Gavric v*
Amy Lynn Gibson u*
Nikita Rose Gilbert u*
Amber Marie Gomes a v*
Megan V. Hall
Taylor Nicole Joyce u*
Abigail Desiree Jupiter u*
Bismath Cynthia Khan u*
Fridah Kiarie
Leila Kisakye a u*
Jetta Elizabeth Lizotte e u*
Kyanah Long
Madeangely Lopez De Juan u*
Coralina M. Ludden v*
Sheena M. Marandino
Kelly McGrath a h*
Shalene Mitchell a h*
Francisco Jose Montoya u*
Anny Diane Nankap-Shimi
Paralegal Studies Certificate
Christian Yosue Arroyo Nunez F*
Joanne Babin F
Alyssa Milad Bitar F*
Sundia Bourdeau F*
Courtney Reese Fay
Tanisha Flamer F*
Amber Luci-Ann Foster F*
Rebecca Catherine Foster F*
Sasha Y. Horan
Felicia Lynne Houston F
Ian K. Martin F
Tim Michael Murray
Paramedic Technology Certificate
Brian Boucher F
Carey A. Dobies F
James Patrick Hopkins F
Peter Stephen Kokolski F
Pharmacy Degree
Agnes Duodua h*
Photography Certificate
Desiree Lakish Hall F
Adrian Francis Maranan F
Gabor C. Meszaros F
Luke Anthony Quattrocelli F
Misty P. Rogers F
Irene Wairimu Njenga a e h*
Samuel Kabiru Njoroge v*
Tabitha Njoroge
Kimberli Alexandra Nutting u*
Taylor Aliisa O’Malley u*
Lindsey T. O’Toole
Vanessa A. Prouty u*
Erin Rose Shea
Nicole M. Silva
Nichole D. Skinner u*
Kayleigh Elizabeth Stickney u*
Dianna S. Szabo u*
Sandra Ray Gill Testa a u*
Joslyn Paige Valliere
Leslie Anne Voyer
Mackenzie Luoma Whalen u*
Julia Wilson
Eve P. Zimmerman u*
Sherrie Ann O’Donnell F*
Nikki Marie O’Neil F*
Christopher Louis Pellegrini F*
Alice Abade Schwanz
Laura Beth St Cyr a e F*
Madison Paige Steed F
Ashley N. West F
Jonathan Winn F
Victoria L. Ryan F*
Physical Therapist Assistant Degree
Gregory Thomas Calkins
Isaac D. Dodge h*
Jacob Drew u*
Kaley E. Mclaughlin v*
Jennifer Nicole Richman
Megan Elizabeth Wilmot h*
Practical Nursing Certificate
Jane W. Anderson
Esther Annor
Meaghan Paige Banister F
Colleen S. Boutwell F
Amiee Rae Caplis
Kathleen M. Carvalho
Kayla Annette Cintron F
Mariah A. Courtemanche
Patricia C. Diverdi
Damien Kenneth Fox F
Jessica Ingrid Gray
Alexis R. Hebert
Victoria E. Jean a e
Kailyn Janelle Jones
Samantha Lee Lawton
Micalyn Mailloux
Karen Jeanne Murphy
Muhidin Bakari Mziray
Sylivia Nalukwago Kikomeko
Maria Estephania Ortega Ortega
Public Relations Certificate
Melissa Phet Phatthammachack
Regenerative Agriculture Certificate
Skylar Sweeney a F
Software Support Certificate
Kourtney Lynn Tibbetts a F Kent Yang i a e F
Substance Abuse Counseling Certificate
Michael S. Anderson
Maria Athena Corbin F*
Emily Rose-Mae Oja F*
Rebekah L. Schoorens F*
Veterinary Technology Degree
Rachel Anne Chisholm v*
Sara A. Devincent v*
Ayvri S. Gagne v*
Sara Danielle Hancock v
Susan J. Harmon v*
Jocelyn Elizabeth Mayotte
Kayla Ray Paine
Alexander Manuel Reyes F
Veronica Isabel Shelton a F
Maria Fernanda Soria
Kwasi A. Tabi
Gilbert M. Wanyoike F
Chloe Zoe Werlinger F
Patricia A. Zepeda
Elise Lenore Stone v*
Juliette E. Tarnuzzer u*
Audrey Rose Wieczorek
Mount Wachusett Community College Board of Trustees
Claire M. Freda, Chairperson
Patti Bergstrom
Oren Cohen
Denise Kindschi Gosselin, Ph.D.
Irene Hernandez Guzman
Lawrence NFOR
Douglas Petersen
Patricia Pistone
Richard Walton
Massachusetts Department of Higher Education Board Members
Noe Ortega, Ph.D., Commissioner
Chris Gabrieli, Chairman
Danielle Allen, Ph.D.
Mary Burns
Harneen Chernow
Ann Christensen
Veronica Conforme
Alex Cortez
Paul Mattera, J.D.
Niki Nguyen
Judy Pagliuca
Christina Royal, Ed.D.
Patrick Tutwiler, Ph.D.
Bill Walczak
ACADEMIC ATTIRE
The caps and gowns worn in formal academic affairs in American colleges today are the direct descendants of the everyday costumes worn in the universities of medieval England. Each school had its peculiar dress so that an Oxford student would be distinguished from a Cambridge student, or a divinity student from a layperson.
Because of the tremendous growth of American colleges and the confusion that would result if each were to adopt a distinctive costume, the Intercollegiate Bureau of Academic Costume was organized. The bureau has established a uniform code, which over 700 institutions have adopted. Harvard, practically alone, still clings to its own traditional costume.
The distinctions of the code are simple, there being three types of gowns and three types of hoods for bachelors, masters, and doctors, respectively. The bachelor’s gown has a long pointed sleeve; whereas the master’s gown has a long closed sleeve, square at the end with an arc of a circle just above the bottom. The sleeve extends well below the knee, the arm coming through a slit near the elbows. The doctor’s gown is characterized by a voluminous bell-shaped sleeve on which appear three velvet bars. The colors of the bars are the colors of the faculty that granted the degree but may be black.
The hood is the most important and distinctive feature of the code. The hoods for all degrees are lined with silk in the official academic color or colors of the institution conferring the degree and have an edging or trim of velvet, the color of which indicates the course or faculty to which the degree pertains. The lining is exposed when the hood is worn. The bachelor’s hood is rather short with a narrow velvet edging. It is not worn by candidates for the baccalaureate degree but only by those upon whom this degree has been previously conferred. The master’s hood is considerably longer, has a wider velvet edging, and exposes more of the lining. The doctor’s hood has wide panels at the side and is easily recognized since, of the three types of hoods, it has the widest velvet edging, greatest length, and fullest exposure of the lining.
The black mortarboard cap with tassel is worn with each type of gown. Those holding a doctor’s degree are privileged to wear a gold tassel. Masters and bachelors wear tassels that are either black or of the color appropriate to the course in which they are being graduated.
COLORS
Some of the colors that may be observed at this commencement, and that symbolize various courses or faculties, are as follows:
• WHITE: Arts, Letters, Humanities
• DULL GRAY: Commerce, Accounting, Business
• COPPER: Economics
• LIGHT BLUE: Education
• YELLOW: Engineering
• BROWN: Fine Arts, including Architecture
• MAROON: Home Economics
• CRIMSON: Journalism, Communications
• PURPLE: Law
• LEMON: Library Science
• APRICOT: Nursing
• SILVER GRAY: Oratory (Speech)
• DARK BLUE: Philosophy
• SAGE GREEN: Physical Education
• GOLDEN YELLOW: Science
• CITRON: Social Work
• SCARLET: Theology
